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Part II: Getting Healthy Food to Lower-Income Consumers

February 19, 2016

Plain English Version

This means food stamps.

Getting the right foods to lower-income families is a challenge. There is a cost to teaching children to eat healthy food.

More than 46 million Americans use food stamps to buy at least some of their food. It is the biggest food program in the United States. The food stamp program is also called SNAP. Users get EBT cards to purchase food.

Food stamp users can buy almost any kind of food. This includes junk food and sugary beverages. In other words, food stamps can buy a not healthy diet.

Trying to ban some foods would bring great opposition.

The federal government is trying a new approach. They want new rules that make grocery stores carry more fresh foods and healthy foods. Healthier choices will be good for consumers.

Five food groups

The new rules make food retailers stock seven varieties in each food group. There are five food groups. They are fruits, vegetables, grains, protein and dairy.

At least three of the food groups would have to include some perishable items. The new rules sat stores must stock at least 168 items that the USDA considers healthy. These foods must always be available to consumers.

USDA the food must always be available to consumers.

There are many small stores in lower-income communities. Sometimes they are the only stores in the neighborhood. Many such stores say they may not be able to follow the new rules. The USDA may excuse some of them from following some of the new rules.

The USDA wants stores to have more food choices. It hopes the rules will help consumers buy better food.